February 6, 2026

Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events › Food

February 10, 2018

Downtown Appleton Death By Chocolate


Chocolate: smooth, velvety, soft, dark, sensuous… kinda makes your heart go pitter-patter, doesn’t it? Well, there’s a treat for you at the 15th Annual, Death by Chocolate Valentine’s Day event in Appleton. It happens Saturday, Feb 10, 2018 from 1-4pm. Sample scrumptious chocolate desserts whipped up by some of the best chefs in the area!

Tickets are on sale now. Call 920-954-9112 or stop at the ADI office at 116 N. Appleton St. Mon-Fri 8:45am-3:30pm. You can also buy tickets online.

Enjoy the Love Is In The Air Celebration including a Community Wedding Vow Renewal in Houdini Plaza at noon, plus ice sculptures to view before & after your chocolate lovers paradise.

Choose from one of two “Death By Chocolate” routes each with 21 stops for just $20. (The 21 stops include 12 bars and restaurants and 8 retail stops who wanted to join in the fun on both routes. Plus one more bonus top that isn’t even on the tickets at Riverview Gardens Retail Store, 513 W. College Avenue where The Community Clothes Closet will be hosting a pop up Vintage clothing sale and giving away chocolate mini-cupcakes!)

See below for a list of the many participating locations.




Getting to Appleton is easy via I-41, U.S. 10, or Highways 47, 96, or 125 (of course, by the time you reach Highways 125, you’re pretty much IN Appleton already._)

Downtown Appleton Death By Chocolate Address:

10 W. College Avenue (Highway 125)
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 954-9112
Website

Death By Chocolate Participating Locations:

EAST END
Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Porter*
The Fire Spicy Hot Chocolate with Spray Whip
Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik Chocolate Surprise
Antojitos Mexicanos Chocolate Tres Leche Cake
hey, daisy! Cookies & Dream Edible Ice Cream
The Vintage Garden Chocolate Salted Caramel Delight
Lillians of Appleton Chocolate Surprise
Brewed Awakenings Caramel Mocha Cake
Bagelicious Chocolate Surprise
Inspire Spa Hot Chocolate Bar
Olde Town Tavern Chocolate Martini*
Bazil’s Pub Chocolate Beer*
Tamara’s Cake Guru Chocolate Mini Cupcakes, Brownie Bites & Valentine Treats
Crazy Sweet Chocolate covered oreo truffles
Cleo’s Brown Beam Tavern Chopin Double Chocolate Liqueur*
Appleton Street Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Cheesecake Bites
Rookie’s Bar & Grill Chocolate Beer*
Copper Rock Coffee Dark Chocolate Truffle Gelato with Winter Chocolate Drizzle
Spa BenMarNico Hot Chocolate
Float Light Assorted Chocolates

WEST END & RIVERFRONT
Wooden Nickel Sports Bar & Grill Chocolate Porter*
The Fire Spicy Hot Chocolate with Spray Whip
Beatnik Betty’s Resale Butik Chocolate Surprise
hey, daisy! Cookies & Dream Edible Ice Cream
The Vintage Garden Chocolate Salted Caramel Delight
Lillians of Appleton Chocolate Surprise
Inspire Spa Hot Chocolate Bar
Spa BenMarNico Hot Chocolate
Jo ala Mode inside the Radisson Chocolate Fantasy Cake
CU Saloon Hasta LaBasta (Chocolate, Honey & Molasses Stout)*
McGuinness Irish Pub Nutty Irishman*
ACOCA Coffee Bourbon Pecan Truffles
Muncheez Pizzeria Cinni-Muncheez with Chocolate Fudge dipping sauce
Appleton Beer Factory Chocolate Beer*
Float Light Assorted Chocolates
Sangria’s Mexican Grill Chicken Chile Relleno with White Chocolate Godiva Ganache
Spats Food & Spirits Chocolate POTS DE CREME
Stone Arch BrewPub Bacon Brewer Bars (paired with an Imperial Chocolate Stout*)
Fratello’s Waterfront Restaurant mini chocolate cupcakes filled with milk chocolate ganache
Atlas Waterfront Café & Gathering Room Atlas Expresso Fudge & Other Delights
*indicates you must be 21 or older
The Downtown Trolley will be running a continuous loop every 20 minutes to help you get to all the venues thanks to the generosity of sponsors Tundraland and Warning Lites.

Start: February 10, 2018 1:00 pm
End: February 10, 2018 4:00 pm
Venue: Downtown Appleton
Phone: 920-954-9112
Address:
10 W. College Avenue, Appleton, WI, 54911, United States

January 27, 2018

Chili Fest


Oconomowoc warms up the chilly January weather with its 9th annual Chili Fest on Saturday, January 27th! Ice sculptures and carvings along the downtown streets, ice and pond hockey on Fowler Lake, open family skating, a beer tent, and of course plenty of chili tastings.

Chili Fest on Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc

Chili tastings are hosted by downtown businesses and local fundraising organizations with proceeds going to local charity. As you stroll downtown and stop in shops you can check out professional ice carvers who dot the downtown streets chiseling frozen blocks into works of art. A DJ and beer tent – which will also offer burgers and hot cocoa – are set up on the lake near the hockey tournament. A family skating rink is groomed nearby and an ice fishing clinic is also planned for the young anglers. It should be a fairly mild Saturday, so note ice conditions if you plan on skating.

While you stroll Wisconsin Avenue, check out a great burger at Crafty Cow, browse boutique shops, have a beer at Lakerz Sports Bar & Grill, and get a gander at the marker by City Hall commemorating the former location of the Strand Theatre, notable for being the place where the classic film The Wizard of Oz first premiered to audiences. Plenty of fun, food, skating, history, and more in this incredibly charming town at the western end of Waukesha County’s Lake Country.

Oconomowoc is where Highways 16 and 67 meet, just north of I-94’s Exit 282. The downtown is wedged between Lac La Belle and Fowler Lake and stroll along Wisconsin Avenue and Main Street reveals plenty of great shops, beautiful architecture, restaurants, historic markers, a dam, and much more. And of course on Saturday the 27th during Chili Fest, plenty of skating and chili!

Chili Fest Address:

Downtown Oconomowoc
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue (Highways 16 & 67, skipping the bypass)
Oconomowoc, WI 53066
(262) 567-5755
Website




Pond Hockey at Oconomowoc's Chili Fest

Start: January 27, 2018 9:00 am
End: January 27, 2018 5:00 pm
Venue: Downtown Oconomowoc
Phone: 262-567-5755
Address:
133 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066, United States

September 9, 2017

Taste of Lake Geneva

The 8th annual Taste of Lake Geneva features the best fare in and around Lake Geneva, from deep fried cheese curds to barbecued ribs, and from homemade soups to tantalizing desserts. Along with great food, local artists will entertain with their tunes as you enjoy the view of Geneva Lake from Flat Iron Park.

Participating Restaurants at Taste of Lake Geneva include Avant, Constant Cravings, Franks, Simple Bakery, Sprecher, Lake Geneva Country Meats, The Geneva Inn, Crafted, Heart & Soul, Mama Ciminos, Tuscan and Geneva Java.

Taste of Lake Geneva tent

It runs from 11am – 6pm on Saturday, September 9, 2017. Admission is $2, food samples range from $3 to $9.

Taste of Lake Geneva Address:

Flat Iron Park
201 Wrigley Drive
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
(262) 248-4416
Website




 

Start: September 9, 2017 11:00 am
End: September 9, 2017 6:00 pm
Venue: Flat Iron Park
Phone: 262-248-4416
Address:
201 Wrigley Drive, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147, United States

June 9, 2017 – June 10, 2017

Taste of the Dells

Wisconsin Dells is one of the ultimate summer destinations – not just in Wisconsin, but nationwide! Come and celebrate the start of summer with Taste of the Dells, where you can enjoy tasty samples from many Dells area restaurants.

Taste of the Dells. Ribs.
Ribs. I had ribs for lunch. That’s why I’m doing this.

There is also live entertainment, a fish boil, family entertainment, arts and crafts show, antique tractor show and a library book sale. Taste of the Dells and all the activities happen throughout the downtown area (right along Highways 13, 16, and 23) pretty much all day on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10th. Admission is free!

Participating restaurants include:

  • Boomtown Saloon
  • Carvelli’s Pizza & Pasta House
  • Chalet Lanes & Lounge
  • Dells Distillery
  • Famous Dave’s BBQ
  • The Frozen Bear
  • High Rock Cafe
  • Kalahari Resorts & Conventions Dining
  • Mac’s Macaroni & Cheese Shop
  • Monk’s Bar & Grill
  • Oodlesmack Popcorn
  • Pizza Pub
  • San Antonio Mexican Restaurant
  • Spring Brook Sports Bar & Grill
  • Stuff’s Restaurant & Catering
  • The Keg Bar & Grill/The Patio

Schedule of Events:

Friday, June 9th
Fish Boil, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm (requires tickets)
Beer Tent Open, 4:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Live Entertainment, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Saturday, June 10th
Arts and Crafts Show, 9 am – 4 pm
Antique Tractor Show, 9 am – 4 pm
Library Book Sale, 9 am – 4 pm
Bowman House Open, 10 am – 2 pm
Corvettes Parade, 11 am – 1:30 pm
Restaurant Tent Open, 11 am – 10 pm
Beer Tent Open, 11 am – 10 pm
Family Entertainment, 11 am – 7 pm
Live Entertainment, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

I-90/94, U.S. 12, and Highways 13, 16, and 23 all bring you to the Dells!




Start: June 9, 2017 4:30 pm
End: June 10, 2017 10:30 pm
Venue: Downtown Wisconsin Dells
Phone: 608-254-2992
Address:
Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965, United States
Cost: Free

October 15, 2016

Racine Fall Festival of Flavors

Head to Racine, the “Kringle Capital of the World,” and join the famous O&H Bakery for their first ever Racine Fall Festival of Flavors! Located outside their 5910 Washington Avenue store location – right along Highway 20 – they are celebrating the bounty that fall brings to our state. This event – a sweet one for sure – will take place Saturday, October 15, 2016 from 10am-2pm.

Racine Fall Festival Kringle sampleActivities include:

* Giveaways and treats from the Wisconsin Cranberry Growers Association
* Great food like caramel apples, seasonal sandwiches, cupcakes, hand-pies, hot drinks and more. Kringles, too.
* Cookie decorating for a $1 – each child will get 1 cookie and their own little container of icing (two colors) and sprinkles!
* Every child will get one free pumpkin cookie & a fun activity sheet to color with crayons
* A Guess Game Contest with a chance to win. Guess the right number of an item and the winner receives a bakery gift basket and the chance to win Kringle of the Month for 6 months!
* Ohlaf (their mascot) will be available for pictures and interaction with the kids

O&H has six locations total, including one inside the Highway 20 Petro Travel Plaza along I-41/94. The Racine Fall Festival of Flavors takes place at the Racine-West location, about five miles further east along Highway 20, near the junction with Highway 31.

Normal store hours are 5:30am-6:00pm Monday through Friday, 5:30am-5:00pm on Saturday, and 7:00am-2:00pm on Sunday. Along with kringle, this Viking heritage-inspired store also features fair trade coffee, other fresh bakery items, and made-to-order sandwiches. But you’ll definitely want to celebrate Racine’s Danish heritage with kringle at Racine Fall Festival of Flavors – it’s one of the best!

Address:
O&H Bakery
5910 Washington Avenue (Highway 20)
Racine, WI 53406
(262) 504-7000
Website




Start: October 15, 2016 10:00 am
End: October 15, 2016 2:00 pm
Venue: O&H Danish Bakery
Phone: 262-504-7000
Address:
5910 Washington Avenue, Racine, WI, 53406, United States
Cost: Free

February 20, 2016

Food & Froth at the Milwaukee Public Museum

Beer has a long, illustrious history as the centerpiece of many parties and events, especially here in Milwaukee. With this in mind, the Milwaukee Public Museum on Wells Street in downtown Milwaukee will open its doors after hours and add another chapter to that story. The Milwaukee Public Museum’s 18th Annual Food & Froth Fest will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016 from 7 – 10 p.m.

Food & Froth will feature over 200 different beers from more than 70 breweries, including Midwest treasures such as Summit Brewing Co., which is making its Food & Froth debut, and international favorites like Germany’s Krombacher Brauerei. Nibble on tasty bites from Screamin’ Sicilian frozen pizza, sampling a fully loaded pizza perfect for pairing with beer, as well as many other treats from local restaurants and caterers. Additionally there will be live music on all three exhibit floors, including a performance by The Whiskey Belles.

Food & Froth tickets are $75 for members and $125 for VIP tickets. VIP tickets include 5:30 p.m. entrance into the special VIP room filled with exclusive craft beers, a smorgasbord of unlimited savories and sweets, and 6:00 p.m. early entry into the event.

Tickets are available by calling (414) 278-2728 or (888) 700-9069 during museum hours. Admission fee covers all food, beer and live entertainment. You must be at least 21 years of age to attend, and a valid identification and ticket are required for entrance into the event.

Proceeds benefit the Museum’s exhibits and educational programs. Get all the details here!

The Milwaukee Public Museum is right along U.S. 18 (Wells Street) in downtown Milwaukee, within blocks of I-43, I-94, the south end of Highway 145, and also close to Highway 32 (Broadway/Milwaukee Street), Highway 38 (5th/6th Street south of downtown), Highway 59 (National Avenue), and I-794.

Start: February 20, 2016 7:00 pm
End: February 20, 2016 10:00 pm
Venue: Milwaukee Public Museum
Phone: 414-278-2728
Address:
800 W. Wells Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, United States
Cost: 75

October 3, 2015

Apple Affair

No, not the Apple computers. We’re talking one of our favorite foods and fruits!  Galesville’s Apple Affair is a major event in Trempealeau County. It all started in 1983 as part of Wisconsin’s effort to promote the state’s apple orchards; today, Apple Affair draws people from throughout the state and nearby Minnesota.

This family event is held on the Square in downtown Galesville Saturday, October 3rd.  Kicking off the annual event is breakfast which is served in the Big Tent on the Square.  The scrambled egg omelet is cooked in one of the biggest skillets you will ever see!  It took 1,250 eggs, 30 pounds of ham, 10 cups of onions, 9 pounds of butter, 630 squares of coffee cake, 22 gallons of apple juice, 21 loaves of bread and 1,200 cups of coffee to feed the 630 people who attended the first event. Since then, attendance numbers in the thousands.

As the day continues, the aroma wafting through the Square changes to the smell of bratwurst and hot dogs cooking on the outdoor grills.

In another tent, Galesville’s famous 10-foot apple pie tempts the taste buds as it bakes.

Orchards from the area set up stands where visitors can purchase apples and apple treats served by local growers.  Apple pie, apple slices, caramel apples, Queen’s Apple, apple cider, apple juice — if it’s apple, you will find it here.

In the parking lot across from the Square, artisans and crafters attract shoppers with everything from dollhouse miniatures to crocheted doilies to braided rugs to woodworking crafts and so much more.

Throughout the day, music from the big tent permeates the air.  Provided by area performers, the music is enjoyed by young and old alike.

The Apple Affair Bike Tour is a popular activity for the day.  Hundreds of bicyclists spend most of the day touring the Galesville apple orchards and surrounding area.  The scenery of this “Garden of Eden” is spectacular and the event is a perfect family affair.  The first Apple Affair attracted 42 bicyclists who rode the 28.7 mile loop from downtown Galesville through the orchards. The bike tour has grown in popularity and some years, depending on the weather, more than 200 bicyclists have participated. To find out more about this year’s ride go to www.appleaffairbiketour.com.

Other activities that day include the Trempealeau County Color Cruise and Open Houses at A.A.Arnold House (aka Eastside Farmstead) and at Old Main.

Free shuttle buses leave the downtown area regularly to take tour groups to the A.A.Arnold House and Old Main.

Galesville is just north of La Crosse in Trempealeau County, at the junction of Highways 35, 54, and 93.

Start: October 3, 2015 7:00 am
End: October 3, 2015 5:00 pm
Venue: Downtown Galesville
Phone: 608-582-2868
Address:
Jct Highways 35 & 93, Galesville, WI, 54630, United States

September 12, 2015

Beaver Dam Pepper Festival

Beaver Dam has a lot of events tailored to specific foods. They have a cream cheese festival in March; in September, things get spicier!

The Beaver Dam Pepper Festival celebrates the Hungarian immigrants who brought peppers to the area in 1912 – we’re guessing foods were a little blander prior to that – and offers music, fun, and spicy dishes. Get all the details on their website!

Beaver Dam is in the heart of Dodge County along U.S. 151 and Highway 33.

 

Start: September 12, 2015 10:00 am
End: September 12, 2015 6:00 pm
Venue: Park Village
Phone: 920-382-6453
Address:
810 Park Avenue, Beaver Dam, WI, 53916, United States

Fondue Fest

How fitting is it that Fond du Lac has Fondue Fest?? With an annual attendance of more than 20,000 people, Fondue Fest comes in as the largest event in downtown FDL. Three stages feature a variety of music genres, there’s a huge Kids Zone, art and craft vendors, farmer’s market vendors, and of course, plenty of cheese and chocolate fondue. Dip, twirl, and eat!

Fondue Fest takes place Saturday September 12th along Main Street in Fond du Lac. It’s just off I-41 & U.S. 151 (which bypass the city), with Highway 23 and U.S. 45 providing direct access. Highway 175 comes in from the south as Main Street, although it technically ends before you reach downtown. Keep going north and you’ll reach it!

Check their website for full schedules and details.

Start: September 12, 2015 9:00 am
End: September 12, 2015 5:00 pm
Venue: Downtown Fond du Lac
Phone: 920-322-2006
Address:
Main Street, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, United States